Rancho Guadalasca

Rancho Guadalasca was a 30,594-acre (123.81 km2) Mexican land grant in present-day Ventura County, California, given in 1836 by Governor Mariano Chico to Ysabel Yorba.

The place is historical, being the site of Xucu or "The Town of the Canoes," described in the voyage of Cabrillo, 300 years ago, and having been the most densely populated portion of the coast.

One of the valleys, La Jolla, seems to have been a favorite ground of the Indians, being rich in kitchen middens, bones, etc., and having a trail, worn deep, from the landing over the hill.

The Guadalasca was a grant of 30,593.85 acres, made on May 6, 1846, to Ysabel Yorba, whose title was confirmed by the United States Land Commissioners.

Of the estate, 23,000 acres were later purchased by William Richard Broome, an English gentleman of leisure living in Santa Barbara.

"The Estero" is the termination of the Guadalasca Creek, being a basin some four miles long, in some parts 1,000 feet wide, and deep enough to float large vessels.

The Chumash had developed an economic system based on monetary beads and shells brought from the Channel Islands that were traded with other villages.

These missions were located about a day’s ride from one another along the major route, the Camino Real, that connected San Diego with Solano.

The next year guardianship of the mission changed hands from Father Ordaz to a new leader who believed the lagoon and plain as unrequired and open for purchase.

Before her death at age 82, Ysabel Yorba sold her Rancho for $28,000 in US gold coin, while her large estate was left to her four adopted daughters.

The practice of distance maintenance made it desirable for Rancho heirs to sell off their lands to newcomers and prospectors willing to pay in gold coins.

These local developments created opportunities for future prospectors like William Richard Broome to purchase Rancho Guadalasca land back in the 1870s.

During this time, Mr. Rose sued Mr. Broome’s wife, who was managing the land, for losses of $45,000 due to a Texas fever tick epidemic that devastated his herd of cattle.

About the year 1910, Thornhill Francis Broome instituted proceedings in the Superior Court of Santa Barbara county to remove his mother as executrix and trustee of the estate.

Mugu State Park, where a popular biking and walking trail, is named after Ysabel Yorba's original Rancho and is sometimes referred to as Guadalasco.

Point Mugu State Park, also known to locals as Sycamore Canyon, is located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

[24] The mountains are home to many kinds of wildlife, including bears, deer, California lions, wild cats, and coyotes.